How to Lead & Motivate Yourself And
Your Employees
By Tom Egelhoff
 Employers world-wide seem to have the same
complaint. "Why can't I find good employees with a positive
work ethic?" Is this statement really true? This was a common
complaint among "old timers" when I was a kid. Now
that I'm the "old timer" I find myself sometimes voicing
the same opinion.
Each generation seems to feel the next has it easier and softer
than they did. We also don't want to admit that we have failed
to pass along positive work ethic and moral values to our children.
So how can we change this trend, if in fact it does exist?
Start with you
If you are a small business owner, chances are you, your wife
and one or two of your kids are your only employees. If that's
the case then how do you motivate yourself?
You probably think you started your business to make money.
You could make money working for someone else with a lot less
effort than running a business. More than likely you started
your business for the self-satisfaction of being your own boss
and accomplishing your personal goals. And that's the key, goals.
Could Bill Gates take all his marbles and go home and never
work again? Of course he could. Why then would he put himself
through the pressure, the lawsuits, and the hassle if he doesn't
have to? Because he has goals and visions of accomplishing personal
and company goals that have nothing to do with how much money
will be realized. Do you think Mark McGwire was thinking of his
salary when he hit his 70th home run?
What is success?
The definition of success is, "The progressive daily
realization of a worthwhile goal or dream." Notice the
absence of, "and make a lot of money." Was Mother Teresa
successful? Mark McGwire is the perfect example of this definition.
As each day goes by, you see yourself getting just a little closer
to your goal or dream. Some days you fail, but you vow to do
better tomorrow. You never lose sight of the goal. What have
you done today to make your business better? What will you do
tomorrow?
What is vision?
The second part of this equation is vision. Vision is the
ability to see your business, not where it is today, but where
you want it to be when you're done.
Decisions you make today could have an impact on your business
for years to come. You should be basing those decisions on your
vision of your business future.
How to Lead and Motivate Your Employees
Sooner or later you will need employees. Leading and motivating
yourself is one thing, leading others is something else. Let's
look at the different styles and kinds of leadership:
Dictatorship
- In my opinion, the worst. Striking fear into the hearts and
minds of employees never results in positive production. Usually
you will produce a work force that are afraid to make suggestions
or grow their positions by accepting more responsibility.
Democratic Leadership
- Can you always be fair to everyone? This often fails in government
and may also fail in your business.
Leadership by example
- Better, but don't expect clones of you. Each person brings
their own skills and traits to the job. They will get the job
done, but not the same way you would. The best use of this style
is to show a positive example not a negative.
Silent or Low-Key Leadership
- This type of leadership is often mistaken for lack of leadership.
You must communicate with your people.
Which is best?
So, of the above, which is best? Answer: All of them. You
will use bits and pieces of each method depending on the employee
and situation.
If you have employees handling dangerous materials you may
need to be a dictator about their respect of safety regulations
for their own protection.
If you are managing a group or team with many diverse personalities,
you may need to be more democratic in your leadership.
If you have strict company policies that everyone, from the
top down, must follow you will set the example for others
by following them to the letter.
There are certain employees, over time, that need little or
no supervision. Communicate when necessary but use low-key
leadership. Don't rock the boat if it's sailing smoothly.
Employee goals and dreams
Do people work for companies or themselves? If you answered
"themselves", you are correct. (See pages 34-35 of
your copy of "How
to Market, Advertise and Promote Your Business Or Service In
A Small Town") There isn't a person alive who works
primarily to achieve the quotas of any company.
He/she works for the benefits to their personal individual
monetary goals for themselves and their families. If the benefits
to the company conflict with the benefits to the employee, which
do you think will be most important to the employee? The company
or their family?
How to motivate people positively
If you want to motivate a person positively, find out what
they are interested in. What is their one overpowering burning
desire? It may not be money. Some people just want to be appreciated
for their efforts. What about the hourly clerk in the retail
store? More money per hour to go to a job where their efforts
are ignored by the boss? What's that worth?
Get Personal
Get to know your employees on a personal level. Support them
and help them achieve their goals and they will move mountains.
Encourage them to measure their efforts and teach them how to
improve performance as a way of obtaining their personal goals.
Motivation can be as simple as appreciation. Give it a
try.
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This article may be reproduced for your non-profit
group or organization provided it is not altered in any way and
the following is attached:
©1998 - 2004 Eagle Marketing PO Box 271 Bozeman, MT
59771-0271
http://www.smalltownmarketing.com - (406) 585-0219 - Toll FREE
(888) 550-6100
email: tommail@smalltownmarketing.com
Based in Bozeman, MT, Tom Egelhoff is the author of How To Market, Advertise & Promote Your
Business Or Service In A Small Town, and The
Small Town Advertising Handbook: How To Say More And Spend Less.
He is also a seminar and workshop presenter
and trainer. He may be reached at 888-550-6100 or PO Box
271 Bozeman, MT 59771-0271
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